The Villain’s Daughter is Four and a Half

Zhou Linchuan, knowing she was coming that day, didn’t go to the company and waited at home. When the doorbell rang, he opened the door while answering a call: “Handle it yourself. Don’t come to me for everything. I understand. Send it to my email.” He was busy, bending over, holding her with one arm, and sitting down on the hanging chair. His long legs touched the floor, setting the chair in motion, and he continued, “Okay. We’ll do that.” Jiang Ruyi quietly nestled in his embrace, familiar with his scent and his deep, pleasant voice, she gradually drifted off to sleep. Unknowingly, she had become quite dependent on him. When the doorbell rang, both big and small were asleep in the hanging chair. Jiang Ruyi was the first to hear it and nudged his shoulder, “Brother, someone’s at the door. It must be Dad.” She was right. It was Jiang Baiyuan, calling her for dinner and inviting Zhou Linchuan along, “Long time no see, let’s eat together.” Zhou Linchuan didn’t stand on ceremony, picked up Ruyi, and followed. However, seeing Jiang Qiuyue at the Jiang family’s dining table, his face didn’t look too pleased: “Why is she here?” He was practically asking on behalf of Jiang Ruyi, “Have you forgotten how she treated your daughter?” That was abuse! And he brought her into the house. Was he trying to be a saint? Jiang Baiyuan looked embarrassed, “My sister’s family had some issues, she’s staying here for a few days.” Zhou Linchuan scoffed, “Then let Ruyi stay with me for a few days.” “No!” Jiang Baiyuan instinctively refused. Zhou Linchuan mocked, “Why not?” “It’s not appropriate.” “What’s inappropriate?” “Who would be comfortable leaving their daughter with a strange man?” It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Zhou Linchuan’s character, but trust was one thing, entrusting his daughter to him was another. Zhou Linchuan was taken aback, realizing the implication of his words, his expression changed, and he stood up to leave. “Brother—” Jiang Ruyi pulled his hand, her eyes pleading, “Don’t be mad at Dad.” Zhou Linchuan ruffled her hair, forcing a smile, “I have some things to do, you eat well.” He felt he was truly fulfilling the role of a father, but he didn’t want to be seen that way. Jiang Ruyi knew he was genuinely upset and stood up to defend him, “Dad, you said something wrong, you should apologize to Brother.” Jiang Baiyuan, seeing his daughter siding with someone else, felt uncomfortable but admitted his fault, softening his stance, “Brother… please sit, I misspoke.” Zhou Linchuan: “…” He didn’t expect Jiang Baiyuan to call him brother, considering Ruyi also called him brother, the generational gap was quite something! He wanted to laugh but couldn’t, so he sat down to continue the meal, but his gaze towards Jiang Qiuyue was still cold: “Ruyi is like my own daughter, I’m a non-marrying man, but I treat her like my own. If you mistreat her again, I won’t be as lenient as he is.” His threat was evident in his look towards the girl beside her. Jiang Qiuyue, already intimidated by him, nodded hastily, her tone conciliatory, “I understand. I was out of my mind before, Ruyi is my niece, my dear niece, I will treat her like my own daughter.” Feng Mingzhu, under Zhou Linchuan’s gaze, felt a bit scared too, but he was so handsome, so noble and elegant, even children could see that. Admiring and slightly jealous of Jiang Ruyi, she sweetly asked, “I like Brother, can I be your adopted daughter too?” “No.” Zhou Linchuan didn’t even look at her, rejecting her outright, not caring if his words would hurt her fragile heart. Feng Mingzhu lowered her head in disappointment and hurt, “Why? Doesn’t Brother like Mingzhu?” “Yes.” He said this while meticulously peeling shrimp for Jiang Ruyi. The differential treatment was quite stark. Jiang Ruyi felt a bit embarrassed for Feng Mingzhu, but inside, she was pleased. She didn’t like this Feng Mingzhu, even though she was genuinely a four-year-old, she thought she was spoiled by Jiang Qiuyue, full of schemes, lacking the innocence of a child. Moreover, she loved to take things and people from her, first her dad, now her brother. She was a bad child!